[GIS] View image file from hyperlink in Arcmap identify tool result

arcgis-desktoparcmaphyperlinkidentifyimage

I have a file path to an image file in an attribute table, eg;

C:\GIS\ScannedMaps\Map1.png

When I use the identify tool on the feature I can see the file path with the hyperlink lightening symbol next to it but when I double-click it nothing happens, 'right-click > View Hyperlink' has the same result. There are no error messages or anything, just nothing happens.
I have set the display properties for that field to support hyperlinks and have the 'Document' radio button selected.

If you navigate to the image in windows you can open it (so nothing wrong with the image).

I have tried other image formats .jpeg .bmp with no luck.

However, If I change the file from an image to a .txt file stored in the same folder, the hyperlink function works perfectly, launching notepad.

So how do you view an image file?

Best Answer

I'm able to reproduce the behaviour on ArcMap 10.2. With no other changes:

  • if the default Windows application for an image file is Windows Image Viewer, the link opens correctly in ArcMap
  • if the default Windows application for an image file is Paint, the link doesn't work

This seems to indicate that there is a bug in ArcMap 10.2 whereby a hyperlinked image won't open Paint. You could log this with Esri tech support at http://support.esri.com